69: Chapter 69-70 Stay with Me_1 69: Chapter 69-70 Stay with Me_1 Before long, Tan Zhenghong finished stitching and handed the cloth bundle to Qiao Duo’er, then turned away conscientiously.
Qiao Duo’er’s stomach hurt so much she couldn’t care about anything else.
She could only change into clean pants on the bed, and then place the cloth bundle underneath.
The touch of the cotton was not bad, but just the thought of Tan Zhenghong sewing it made her feel slightly uncomfortable.
After changing, she lay on the bed and felt a bit better curled up.
This was a sign of malnutrition; her former self’s period would only come once every two or three months, or even half a year, and each time it was excruciatingly painful.
So for her, not having her period was actually a good thing.
Sigh, she really needed to take good care of this body.
“How can you make it hurt less?” Tan Zhenghong felt so distressed, he wished he could take the pain away for her.
But as a man, he didn’t have that ability and could do nothing to ease Qiao Duo’er’s pain.
Qiao Duo’er wrapped the blanket around her belly, “It’s fine, it’ll get better if I just warm it up.”
Tan Zhenghong clenched his teeth, then placed his hand on Qiao Duo’er’s stomach.
Tan Zhenghong said earnestly, “Duo’er, would you just stay?
I’ll make sure you have a good life.”
He would work very hard, go hunting tirelessly, weave baskets diligently, to make his wife the happiest woman in the world.
“We’ll see,” Qiao Duo’er said irritably.
She still dwelled on the fact that Tan Zhenghong had teased her before.
There was a first and a second time, could a third time be far behind?
Tan Zhenghong pursed his lips, “I feel like I can’t live without you.”
He was a rough man and this was the first time he had said something so…
mushy.
Qiao Duo’er closed her eyes, feeling her bones churn with disgust.
In this world, who couldn’t live without whom?
This guy was being overly sentimental.
Hmph, and he was supposed to be a big strong man!
“Duo’er, I don’t want anyone but you,” Tan Zhenghong added.
He had made up his mind long ago.
Even if one day Qiao Duo’er left, he wouldn’t settle for another woman for the rest of his life.
He said he would make sure she had a good life and wanted only her.
What more could a woman ask for?
There should be nothing more.
And Tan Zhenghong didn’t just talk; he worked very hard every day.
Even now, though he could barely walk, he strived to make baskets for money.
As for his fidelity, perhaps it was just his nature.
Maybe…
she should save his life?
He did say he couldn’t live without her, right?
She was a kind person; how could she stand by and do nothing?
Qiao Duo’er softly uttered a sound of agreement, but that was enough for Tan Zhenghong to be overjoyed; his wife had agreed!
Tan Zhenghong’s voice trembled, “Duo’er, are you agreeing not to leave me?”
“You’re so annoying, my belly hurts, and I want to sleep,” Qiao Duo’er rolled her eyes.
As a woman, she kept her word.
But did she really need to repeat herself?
She might think of herself as a tomboy, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t feel embarrassed!
Tan Zhenghong obediently shut up, afraid of angering Qiao Duo’er.
His wife had barely agreed to stay with him; if he unwittingly drove her away, wouldn’t he be devastated?
Tan Zhenghong dared not move recklessly and continued to keep Qiao Duo’er’s stomach warm with great care.
Despite the layers of clothing, he could still feel the cold seeping from her belly.
No wonder it hurt.
After a while, Tan Zhenghong couldn’t help but ask, “Duo’er, are you in too much pain to sleep?”
Qiao Duo’er grunted.
She had been trying to sleep seriously, but still couldn’t drift off.
“Then talk to me, distract yourself,” Tan Zhenghong said, squinting his eyes.
He too was too excited to sleep tonight.
Hehe, his wife couldn’t escape now!
Qiao Duo’er pursed her lips, “I’d rather sleep.”
Tan Zhenghong lost his spirit.
He knew his wife wasn’t someone who liked to chatter, so better stay quiet.
After a quiet moment, Qiao Duo’er couldn’t resist saying, “Tell me about your childhood.”
Stimulated by that request, Tan Zhenghong instantly felt revitalized.
“As a child, I was sent to live with a distant uncle and grew up with my cousin.
At the age of three, I started learning martial arts from Grandpa Bai Beard in the village…”
Truthfully, there wasn’t much to tell about his childhood except for some trivial tales such as stealing peaches from the neighbor’s, taking bird eggs, and killing snakes, things that most country boys have done.
But for Qiao Duo’er, these were novel experiences, and she listened with great interest.
The life of a farming family really wasn’t bad.
Perhaps one day she would be grateful for her choice.
After all, a human life spans only a few decades, what’s more important than being free and following one’s heart?
Like now, reflecting on her past life, she mostly remembered training and missions, never having experienced a romance, which she found regrettable.
As they talked, Qiao Duo’er’s breathing became light and shallow.
Tan Zhenghong carefully tucked her in, then returned his hand to the same position.
That night, no matter how hot it was, his hand remained there.